Vint Cerf: Google Shouldn't Require Real Names 113
An anonymous reader writes "In an interview with Reuters, 'father of the internet' Vint Cerf spoke about Google's past push for requiring real names from their users — a stance they later backed down from after public outcry. Google+ and many other services work just fine with pseudonyms, Cert says, and it's better to let users pick the option that works best for them. 'Using real names is useful. But I don't think it should be forced on people, and I don't think we do.' That said, he also firmly believes some services do need true identities from both sides: 'Anonymity and pseudonymity are perfectly reasonable under some situations. But there are cases where in the transactions both parties really need to know who are we talking to. So what I'm looking for is not that we shut down anonymity, but rather that we offer an option when needed that can strongly authenticate who the parties are.' Still, the matter of pseudonyms on Google+ seems to be settled internally, at least for the moment. Cerf said, 'There was a debate on this subject and it was resolved. ... Our conclusion was that choice is important.'"
Of course says "Vint Cerf" (Score:5, Funny)
If that even is his real name. I mean, "Vint"? Seriously?
Re:Did we need Vint Cerf to tell us this? (Score:3, Funny)
But the article was not about Al Gore.
Re:johnsmith1245145 (Score:5, Funny)
Makes me consider changing my name...
http://xkcd.com/327/ [xkcd.com]
Re:Of course says "Vint Cerf" (Score:3, Funny)
Yes, the entire Coward family is quite happy. I just wish my parents had named me Bob or something else instead. My name with an initial makes me look like A Coward.